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Voters will choose Pele FIFA poll spurs debate on Player of the Century
Updated: Thursday November 30, 2000 7:06 PM
In case you missed it, FIFA launched its Player of the Century poll last week, announcing its list of 27 nominees. Like all lists, this one is sure to generate controversy, for a number of reasons. First of all, the oldest player on the list was born in 1921, effectively ruling out the first forty years of the game's history. This means the likes of Jose Nasazzi, Leonidas, Giuseppe Meazza, Frantisek Planicka, Jose Andrade, Franz Binder, Dixie Dean and Artur Friedenreich weren't even considered. Now, it's almost impossible to evaluate players from different eras.
Most of those who will be voting never saw these guys play, which is why
perhaps it makes sense to leave them out. Still, it would have been nice if
some of these old-timers had gotten some kind of recognition.
The list also reflects the usual bias in favor of midfielders and forwards. There are just two defenders and two goalkeepers on the list, which does appear a little unfair, but then forwards and midfielders have always captured the imagination more than the boys at the back. There are seven Brazilians on the list, reflecting that country's dominance of post-war soccer (though two of those nominees are rather questionable). The next best represented countries are France, Germany and England, with three each. Note that there are only one-and-a-third Argentines who make it: one is obvious, the other is Alfredo Di Stefano, who, for the record, played for three different countries (Argentina, Colombia and Spain). One would think that Argentina might be a little better represented. It's also interesting to note that three of the players were born in Africa ( Eusebio, Just Fontaine and George Weah, though only the latter represented his country of birth). Further proof that Africa has been producing great players for a long time. In any case, I'm not going to get into an argument over who deserves to win (though I think it is obvious the voters will pick Pele). Rather, here is a brief rundown of the players (in alphabetical order), divided into whether they belong among the 27 greatest ever. Note that I've grudgingly used FIFA's criteria of only considering post-war stars. I've also tried to consider what these guys actually won at national team and club team level. Truly great players raise the level of those around them and bring home silverware. No argumentFranz Beckenbauer (Germany) -- Redefined the attacking sweeper position in the 1970s. Won a World Cup, a European Championship, three consecutive European Cups and five domestic titles. Twice European Footballer of the Year. Johan Cruyff (Holland) -- The star of the Dutch Clockwork Orange team in the 1970s. Three times European footballer of the year and also won three European Cups. Alfredo Di Stefano (Argentina/Colombia/Spain) -- Two-time European Footballer of the Year, led Real Madrid to five consecutive European Cups. Incredbily versatile, many believe he is the best all-around player in history. Eusebio (Portugal) -- Won 10 domestic titles, plus the European Cup with Benfica, for whom he scored 316 times in 294 games. Almost single-handedly took his country to third place in the 1966 World Cup, scoring nine goals. Garrincha (Brazil) -- Probably the best right wing ever. An unbelievable dribbler, he won two World Cups and, for a while, was more popular than Pele. Diego Armando Maradona (Argentina) -- Won the 1986 World Cup almost single-handedly and took Argentina to the final four years later. South American Footballer of the Year at the age of 19. Took unfancied Napoli to its only two Italian titles in the 1980s. Scored arguably the greatest ever World Cup goal in 1986. Bobby Moore (England) -- Never played for big clubs, so only club success is 1965 Cup Winners' Cup. His peers rate him as one of the best pure defenders ever. Won World Cup in 1966, runner-up European Footbllaer of the Year in 1970. Gerd Muller (Germany) -- European Footballer of the Year in 1970, also won European title and World Cup with Germany, for whom he scored 69 goals in 62 appearances. Also won three consecutive European Cups and four domestic titles. Pele (Brazil) -- Not much to say here. Won three World Cups, scored 1280 goals in 1362 official matches, plus 79 in 93 games with Brazil. Also twice won the Copa Libertadores. Probably the most famous footballer in history. Michel Platini (France) -- Three times European Footballer of the year, three times top scorer in Italy (despite being a midfielder), led France to two World Cup semifinals and the 1984 European Cup title. Ference Puskas (Hungary) -- Led what many consider to be the best European team ever to 1954 World Cup final, before moving to Spain, where he won the European Cup. Scored 83 goals in 84 appearances for Hungary. Marco Van Basten (Holland) -- His career was cut short by injury, but he still managed to win four Serie A titles, three Dutch titles and three European Cups. Three times European Footballer of the Year, also World Footballer of the Year in 1992. Lev Yashin (Russia) -- Only goalkeeper to ever win European Footballer of the Year award. For years considered the benchmark at his position. Led USSR to European Championship in 1960. DebatableRoberto Baggio (Italy) -- Won two Italian titles and finished second in 1994 World Cup, third in 1998 World Cup. European and World Footballer of the Year in 1993. George Best (Northern Ireland) -- Never played in World Cup, but won two English titles and one European Cup. European Footballer of the Year in 1968. Career fell apart after bout with alcoholism. Bobby Charlton (England) -- England's all-time leading scorer, won 1966 World Cup and European Footballer of the Year title. Also won European Cup and three English titles. Didi (Brazil) -- One of the great midfield generals in history. Won two World Cups with Brazil, but failed to settle at Real Madrid. Capped 70 times. Just Fontaine (France) -- Scored an incredible 13 goals in 1958 World Cup, leading France to third place. Won three French titles, career cut short by injury in 1961. Lothar Matthäus (Germany) -- Played in three World Cup finals, winning the title in 1990. European and World Footballer of the Year in 1991, also won European Cup and titles in Germany and Italy. Capped 150 times for his country. Stanley Matthews (England) -- Legendary right winger who played until he was 50. Failed to win major trophies at club or country level, but won European Footballer of the Year in 1956 (at age 41!). Romario (Brazil) -- Perhaps the best pure goalscorer of the modern era. Won titles in Brazil, Spain and Holland, as well as 1994 World Cup. World Footballer of the Year in 1994. George Weah (Liberia) -- Won trophies in France, England and Italy. Three times African Footballer of the Year, European and World Footballer of the Year in 1995. Zico (Brazil) -- Twice South American Footballer of the Year, won Copa Libertadores with Flamengo and in two seasons with little Udinese in Serie A managed to turn them into a legitimate power. Dino Zoff (Italy) -- Goalkeeper won World Cup in 1982 at the age of 40. Won six Italian titles with Juventus. Played more Serie A games than anybody else. Did not concede a goal for 1,143 consecutive minutes for Italy and 903 minutes for Juventus, both of which are records. Too early to callRivaldo (Brazil) -- European Footballer of the Year last season, won titles in Brazil and Spain. Runner-up at 1998 World Cup. Ronaldo (Brazil) -- Twice World Player of the Year and once European Footballer of the Year. Part of squad that won 1994 World Cup (but never played), runner-up in 1998. Hampered by injuries in last two seasons. Zinedine Zidane (France) -- European and World Footballer of the Year in 1998. Won two Italian titles with Juventus. Led France to 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championships. So there you have it. Feel free to disagree. I left out Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Zidane because they have yet to turn 30 and it is simply too early to include them among the best ever. Feel free to disagree. Please note that I'm not suggesting that those players who are defined as "debatable" do not belong on the list, but rather they are not immediate choices everyone can agree on. Who else is missing from the list? We could debate for hours. Here are some of my suggestions: Franco Baresi (Italy) Nandor Hidegkuti (Hungary), Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina), Antonio Careca (Brazil), Luis Suarez (Spain), Michael Laudrup (Denmark), Ruud Krol (Holland), Daniel Passarella (Argentina), Gunnar Nordahl (Sweden) and Rivelino (Brazil). The list could go on forever. Based in London, Gabriele Marcotti writes a weekly column on international soccer for CNNSI.com.
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